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Caldwell unfazed ahead of netball debut

Nathan Paull

Her captain joked about whether she was born when Australia last claimed Commonwealth Games netball gold, but Tegan Caldwell insists she isn't fazed by her lack of international experience.

The 25-year-old goaler, whose MVP effort helped her Melbourne Vixens claim the trans-Tasman championship, is the sole debutant in the 12-strong Australian line-up desperate to end a 12-year netball gold medal drought at the Games.

Other teams, particularly reigning champions New Zealand and up-and-comers England, will likely try to exploit Caldwell's inexperience at Test level.

But the goal attack, who was selected ahead of more established goalers like Erin Bell and Susan Pratley, isn't concerned about that.

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"There may be comments out there, but that's not something I focus on or think about," Caldwell said in Glasgow on Tuesday.

"The 12 girls are so amazing and have just included me like one of the others and I don't feel like the newbie or that I don't have the experience of everyone else."

Coach Lisa Alexander says the team is unlikely to feature a set starting seven as they work through the pool matches.

That means Caldwell is likely to receive ample court time to press her credentials, along with established attackers and West Coast Fever teammates Natalie Medhurst and Caitlin Bassett.

It has been a meteoric rise for the self-described "late bloomer", who admitted she had renewed shooting confidence in the stellar season that earned her a national call-up and grand final MVP honours.

The rapport Caldwell had already built with the team was on display on Tuesday when captain Laura Geitz explained the Silver Ferns' Games dominance at the debutant's expense.

"Teegs (Caldwell) probably can't even remember the last time Australia won," said Geitz with a laugh, despite being less than a year older than Caldwell.

"Were you even born?"

Geitz said the team had agreed to march in the Games' opening ceremony on Wednesday, despite playing their opening match against Wales the next day.

"We'll be back and into bed and up ready and rearing to go," Geitz pledged.